Rosselanos celebrate 70 years

A report by Willi da Silva Borges, Senator of KG Die Rosselanos 1955 e.V. and recipient of the Chief's Order

What a weekend! Last weekend was probably the most exhausting, emotional, and at the same time most beautiful weekend in the 70-year history of the carnival society "Die Rosselanos 1955 e.V." Two evenings, two events, two times a state of emergency – and countless happy faces.

🎉 Friday – The first Senators' evening: Dress rehearsal with goosebump moments

Already on Friday evening, at the first of two senators' evenings, it quickly became clear: This will not be a normal session evening, this will be pure Faasend – Rosselanos style!

Punctually at 20:11 it started, and the very first program item set the hall alight: "Bauer Sepp" (Tobias Paltz) from the Palz, with his inimitable humor, left not a single eye dry. Hardly had the applause died down, when "de Härdschd" (Oliver Betzer) followed – also a Palatine original, who came as the "de Härdschde" clown with a loose wire and had the audience firmly in his grip.

Our musician Werner Stretz (also imported from the Palatinate 😊) skillfully got the audience in the mood.

Afterwards, the society's own stars took over: the mini guard, the youth and junior guards, the acrobat monkeys, the active guard, the show dance group, the moms, the men's ballet – all took the stage and showed what months of training and passion can achieve. The dance mariechen and the mini couple also presented themselves in top form – proof that the Rosselanos live their youth work with passion.

We were also pleased to welcome many guest clubs, prince couples, our regional representative, and representatives from the VSK from near and far.

A fixed part of our program for years has been Fidelius (Christoph Lesch), who thrilled everyone with his performance.

As a young talent, Theo Weirich from the Gold Blue Funken of Saarwellingen took the stage. Cool and composed, and like an old hand, he delivered his speech excellently.

Also a regular with us for years, the TSG Weiss-Gold with their dance Rock of Age, fast, precise, and breathtaking lifts.

Goosebumps came at the finale of the evening: As has been tradition for years, the Völklingen Marching Band marched in and transformed the hall into a madhouse. A medley of well-known songs, brass music with power, drum rolls, pure goosebumps – the first evening could hardly have ended better.

🥳 Saturday – Awards, Emotions, and Top Entertainment

But anyone who thought that was it was gravely mistaken. Because Saturday topped it all. It became emotional, loud, funny, and touching all at once.

First, Pastor Fulder (Steffen Jobst, from Mombacher Carneval Verein) called for the evening prayer – and what a prayer! A "prayer" that strained the laughter muscles while also provoking thought. No one was spared: politicians, celebrities, influencers, footballers – even our senator, everyone got their share, but always with a wink. Just as you know Fulder: biting, witty, but never hurtful.

As on Friday evening, the youth took the microphone: Theo Weirich, the young carnival speaker of the "Gold-Blauen Funken Saarwellingen," delighted the audience with his fresh, honest style and spoke about the "adventures" of everyday school life. If this is the future of Saarland carnival, then one can safely say: things are looking up!

🎭 Revo-Boys and Standing Ovations

One of the evening’s highlights: the Revo-Boys (Dirk Glaeser, Eric Mees, Sven Andres), known beyond the state borders. Comedy, dance, show, and parody – all in one. The guys set off a firework of punchlines, costume changes, and gags. Sometimes as cleaning ladies, sometimes as schlager stars – simply brilliant. The audience went wild, tears of laughter, and minutes-long applause!

🏅 When the stage becomes a badge of honor

And then it became ceremonial – a moment that shows what community, commitment, and passion mean.
Our senators, important pillars of the club, provided a worthy framework for this.
Also present and live connected from Sweden was our ferry couple.
First, [Rafael Mailänder] received the highest internal club award: the "Chieftain's Order" of the Carnival Society Die Rosselanos 1955 e. V. An order which, according to the club statute, is granted to those who have rendered exceptional services to the society, the club, and the tradition over many years. Symbolically, the shape of the order—a stylized Native American chieftain—stands for courage, responsibility, and solidarity.

And at exactly this moment, as the award was handed over, there was a touch of melancholy but also pride in the room. Because everyone in the hall thought of the man who originally brought it all to life: Helmut Schwehm, the founder of the Rosselanos. He, who decades ago had the idea to unite the people of Rossel with cheerfulness, music, and humor, would surely have been proud of "his children" at this very moment—of all the active members, friends, and supporters who carry on his vision with so much heart. One almost had the feeling that Helmut was smiling down from his cloud and, with a wink, saying: Yeah, that's exactly how I always wanted it—mir bleiwe Rosselanos! 🌤️💙💛

But that was only the beginning of a true symphony of orders.

Next up in the spotlight was none other than President Andreas Chandoni. Surprised, moved, and completely unaware, he accepted the Gold Merit Order of the Federation of German Carnival (Bund Deutscher Karneval)—one of the highest awards the BDK bestows. For his decades of commitment, passion, and tireless dedication to the carnival tradition. Usually so eloquent, Andreas was momentarily truly speechless—and one could see a tear or two glistening in the corners of his eyes.
The moment when the song written especially for Andreas was played by Karsten was particularly touching.❤️

And barely had the audience finished applauding when the next goosebumps followed: Diana Chandoni, treasurer, moderator, organizational talent, and creative all-rounder – in short: the heart of the Rosselanos – received the highest award of the Saarland Carnival Clubs Association (VSK): the Order of Merit in Gold with Diamonds. An honor bestowed on very few. The laudation ended with the words: Without people like Diana, the Saarland Faasenacht would not be what it is today: colorful, loud, heartfelt – and simply wonderful!

💃 Dance, emotions, and lots of passion

Of course, the Rosselanos dancers could not be missed on this evening either. From the youngest to the over-15 show dancers – everyone gave their best. The mix of precision, passion, and fun was palpable. You could feel: this is not just a troupe on stage, this is a family dancing!

Another highlight: the TSG Weiß-Gold Püttlingen. What this dance group puts on is simply breathtaking. Every year, they manage to transport their audience to other worlds through perfect choreography, stage presence, and emotions. Whether The Lion King, The Ice Princess, The Last Unicorn, or rocking show elements – TSG captivates anew every time. And with the Rosselanos, they have long been an integral part of the big family.

🎸 Finale with "Die Konsorten" – party without end!

When "Die Konsorten" finally took the stage at the end, there was no holding back. The Saarland cult band, a guarantee for a great atmosphere for years, literally tore the hall apart with songs like "Mir sinn Saarländer" and "Heit gehn mir net hemm." Dance, singing, swaying, joining in – the mood was on a level that was hardly possible to top.

A simple conclusion: WOW!
Or, as one visitor aptly put it: If the Rosselanos didn’t exist, we’d have to invent them!

❤️ Afterglow – Gratitude, Pride, and Anticipation

After two days full of emotions, laughter, tears of joy, and roaring applause, one thing remains clear: the Rosselanos didn’t just celebrate an anniversary – they showed what lived community, tradition, and passion mean.

A club that has been connecting people for 70 years, bringing young and old onto one stage and making every visitor feel like part of the family.

A huge thank you to all helpers, members, technicians, dancers, musicians, DJ, sponsors, and supporters who made this weekend possible.
Thanks to the technical team for the smooth operation and the fantastic light and laser show!

"When we celebrate, we do it with heart, humor, and a bit of madness!" 🥳💙💛

Editor's note: If anyone was accidentally forgotten in this report, please don’t be upset – there was just too much greatness all at once!